THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, April 12, 1995 TAG: 9504110161
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JAMES FRASCA, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 60 lines
Star-spangled stiltwalkers and grease-painted clowns lined the corridors of the Clarion Hotel on Saturday for the Children's Festival and Circus to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
The invitation-only event was designed to heighten awareness of Make-A-Wish, a Seattle-based group that offers dream trips and gifts to seriously ill children.
While 7-year-old Donald Pitts Jr. of Franklin demonstrated the proper way to eat cotton candy, his parents, Donald and Ramona, described how Make-A-Wish Foundation has brightened their lives.
``They sent us on a trip to Disney World,'' Ramona said. ``They took care of everything. It was just wonderful.''
Donald Jr. smiled, plucked cotton candy cobwebs from his chin and added, ``Plus I got an autographed picture from the Golden Girls.''
The legendary generosity of Make-A-Wish Foundation brought good cheer to both young and old at Saturday's festivities. Donald Jr., diagnosed with spinal bifida and confined to a wheelchair, received a boom box CD player before the day was over.
``He's having a great time,'' said Ramona Pitts. ``We're blessed with him. God gave him to us for a reason. He only gives these children to parents that can take care of them.''
A children's parade, featuring a ringmaster, strolling clowns, peanuts and cotton candy continued throughout the day. Events were carefully planned to create a real circus fantasy in an indoor setting, with children and their parents enjoying clowns, magicians, unicyclists, a petting zoo and pony rides.
John Giattino, general manager of the Clarion Hotel on Bonney Road, personally invited more than 800 business owners and their families to attend the event. Make-A-Wish Foundation depends on donations of goods and services from business owners to grant children's wishes.
``It's our hope that they will each make some sort of donation,'' he said.
Giattino, who worked at Disney World for eight years, said visits to the family theme park top the list of requests made to Make-A-Wish Foundation, whose eastern Virginia office is located in Virginia Beach.
``I was very familiar with their work, so I was delighted when we decided to sponsor them,'' Giattino said. ``We wanted to plan an event that would be enjoyed by our guests and their families.'' ILLUSTRATION: Razzle Dazzle the Clown and juggler Tim Moore entertained the
kids at Saturday's festivities.
Photos by JAMES FRASCA
Donald Pitts Jr., son of Donald and Ramona Pitts of Franklin,
recently enjoyed a trip to Disney World, courtesy of Make-A-Wish
Foundation.
by CNB